MG5 launched in Malaysia – C-seg sedan at City/Vios price, 1.5L NA CVT, 1 variant, Thai CBU, from RM87k

Previewed in August, the MG5 is now officially launched in Malaysia. SAIC Motor Malaysia has given the striking-looking C-segment sedan a pretty interesting positioning – at RM93,900 on-the-road before insurance for the sole CBU Thailand variant (RM86,900 with the intro offer, more below), this is a Civic-sized car for the price of a City. You can’t have it all though, so the powertrain also follows the City/Vios class norm.

We’ll first look at the MG5’s size. At 4,675 mm long and 1,842 mm wide, the MG5 is comparable in size to the Honda Civic FE (MG is 3 mm shorter, 40 mm wider), and its 2,680 mm wheelbase is well within the class ballpark (Toyota Corolla 2,700 mm, Civic 2,735 mm). The boot size is 401 litres.

So, unlike the Proton S70 – which is officially branded by its maker as a C-segment sedan although the dimensions are closer to a B – the MG5 has a ‘fastback coupe-style’ C-segment body. Actually, the ‘Civic size, City price’ line and all C references are ours – SAIC is marketing the MG5 as a B-segment rival to the City/Vios, one that’s largest in its class.

That’s a correct move IMO, as under the MG5’s hood is a powertrain that’s in line with B-segment norms – a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder unit paired to a CVT. The ‘DVVT’ engine makes 114 PS and 150 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. For context, the City has 121 PS/145 Nm and the Vios gets 106 PS/138 Nm. The MG’s CVT has eight virtual speeds with a manual mode. Disc brakes all round (ventilated in front) and a rear torsion beam, by the way.

As for standard equipment, the MG5 comes with LED automatic headlamps and daytime running lights, LED taillights, 17-inch two-tone ‘Tomahawk’ alloys (215/50 tyres), black leather upholstery with red accents (red is also found on the doors, steering, shift boot), single-zone automatic air con with PM2.5 air filter and rear vents, six speakers, cruise control and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. There are also kit that are unique to the B-segment, such as a powered sunroof and a six-way powered driver’s seat.

As for screens, there’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and feed from a 360-degree camera. Below the screen – which is angled towards the driver – is a row of hard buttons for the AC and volume, which is a good thing.

On the safety front, there are six airbags and an MG Pilot suite that includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and rear collision warning. No AEB though, which is a glaring omission and possibly the only blot on the MG5’s otherwise very nice equipment copybook.

The MG5 will be available in five colours, which are Dynamic Red, Arctic White, Black Pearl, Camden Grey and the hero Nuclear Yellow you see here. SAIC Motor Malaysia is offering a five-year, unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty for its first ICE model here. The powertrain gets a separate seven-year, unlimited-mileage coverage.

Once again, the RRP for the MG5 is RM93,900 on-the-road excluding insurance, but there’s an introductory RM7,000 rebate, which brings the price down to RM86,900 for early birds. By the way, after factoring in the intro rebate, your downpayment can be as low as RM3,000, Quite an eye-catching price don’t you think?

For your reference, the Honda City is priced from RM84,900 to RM99,900 for the petrol variants (hybrid is RM111,900) while the Toyota Vios price range is from RM89,600 to RM95,500. The Proton S70 – the only 1.5L turbo DCT sedan here – retails from RM73,800 to RM94,800. What do you think of the MG5’s looks and package?

GALLERY: MG5 in Malaysia

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